I first walked through the doors of my church on a Wednesday night back in 2004. I was visiting one of our care classes that was being offered for those who were either separated or divorced. My girls were 2 and 4 at the time and life as we knew it just days before had taken a devastating turn.
Although I grew up in a solid, Christian, single parent home from the age of 3 with a mom that modeled well a love for the Lord and taught me to love Him too, I had no idea that this was only the very beginning of the Lord’s guidance through the next 15 years of my life as the primary faith trainer of my family.
Praise the Lord that there are safe places we can go and wise people we can turn to for direction, accountability, counsel and support when life as we knew it does not turn out the way we ever dreamed or expected.
I pray that you and your children are also actively involved in a healthy local church where you are able to receive guidance and encouragement as you either begin this single parenting journey or continue parenting on your own for as long as the Lord has you in this season.
I can’t believe it’s already been almost 16 years since I began this journey we call single parenting! Now, I have one daughter graduating from college soon and one graduating from high school in a few months.
I have adopted a phrase recently that I use all the time now that I’ve seen over the years the blessing that comes from single parents meeting together to grow spiritually and relationally in biblical community: We are Stronger Together!
As my mom would say, “There’s no sense re-inventing the wheel.” Single parents can learn a lot from each other if we’ll invest the time.
Throughout my single parenting years there has been 1 primary freedom tool I’ve found to be so transformational in my life. It has given me a reason over and over again to testify of the faithfulness of our Heavenly Father, One who is also right here ready to walk faithfully with you as you navigate this gift called single parenting.
I can’t say that before today I’ve ever said that single parenting was a gift. However, as I reflect now on the opportunity I’ve had over the years to love and nurture two of the greatest blessings God could have ever given me, while also meeting, growing and studying God’s Word with some of the most incredible single parents in the world, then yes, I can say in this season of my life… single parenting has been such a gift!
God’s Word is THE most powerful tool I’ve discovered while parenting on my own that I would challenge you to dive into and interact with more than anything else.
The summary of its effects in the lives of many Christ – following parents & their children can be summed up by this quote by Charles Spurgeon, “A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.”
This, my friend, is by far will lead you to the most important Source you will ever go to that promises to hold both you, your life and your family together in the most difficult of times. I know many single moms and dads who are living proof of this truth!
I’ll never forget the very first scripture below that the Lord gave me the morning after (…the morning after you wake up and realize you’ve just made it through your worst nightmare). It’s the morning you get up and don’t know what tomorrow holds, but you have this hope that you know Who holds tomorrow.
2 Corinthians 4:7-9,16 says, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”
This promise of inward renewal was the only hope I had in the midst of THE most devastating, hurtful and destructive time in my life.
And do you know what? One day at a time, opening up my One Year Bible that literally lists your reading for the day by date, I read it as if it were an email directly from God and was reminded of the hope and future He had in store for me and my children.
Now, I continue to move forward being renewed daily with God’s will and purpose! I’m still growing, still learning, still struggling with the trials of life at times. But instead of feeling overwhelmed and alone, I have the strength to lead my family with the confidence and security of knowing that my God has been and will continue to be with me to guide us every step of the way!
May I share one final truth I discovered in God’s Word that I believe you will want to hold on to forever because it has the ability to immediately open your eyes and heart to all the healing and wisdom your heavenly Father has available for you? This incredible promise you’ll want to embrace, not just for you but for your children as well. It is tucked away in a beautiful passage of scripture I’d encourage you to read that reminds us of our heavenly Father’s desire and ability to rescue us from all our troubles.
Psalm 107:19-20 says, “Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, And He saved them from their distresses. He sent His word and healed them, And rescued them from their destruction.”
God’s Word has brought healing to me and I know He will do the same for you!!!
For more on this topic, view the teaching session of Single Parenting Together
